A long-vacant corner in Riverwest could soon trade dust for daylight, with plans in motion to turn a North Holton Street storefront into a neighborhood-focused cafe and renovation hub. The partners behind the proposal say the ground floor would serve breakfast and lunch that leans healthier than typical fast food, while the upper level would be converted into three apartments and an event space. The concept combines a small contractor office with community-minded programming aimed at easing a food-access gap in Riverwest.
The Zoning, Neighborhoods & Development Committee included a resolution on its June 16 agenda to approve a Land Disposition Report and authorize the sale of the city-owned, tax-deeded property at 3276-78 North Holton Street, according to the City of Milwaukee. The item, sponsored by Ald. Milele A. Coggs, was placed on the committee calendar for consideration Tuesday morning.
The committee unanimously backed the sale and sent the measure to the full Common Council, which is slated to take it up on June 23, according to Urban Milwaukee. Prospective owner Calvin Martin and partner Shannon Mixon told the panel they intend to purchase the 3,600-square-foot building and open a cafe called Shannon'A'gans. “It’s going to be a healthier cafe,” Mixon said, while Martin described the business as “anti-alcohol and anti-vape,” according to the reporting. The partners also said Martin plans to run a renovation business from the property, and Mixon hopes to collaborate with the Riverwest Farmers Market.
About the building
The two-story brick structure dates to 1921, and public property listings put its interior size at roughly 3,600 square feet. Zillow lists both the year-built and square footage. The partners’ plan calls for a kitchen and dining area on the first floor, with the upper-level apartments restored for residential use. Renovations would keep the existing footprint while updating utilities and reworking the storefront for food service.
Price and provenance
The city would sell the property to the partners for $60,000, according to Urban Milwaukee, which also reports that the city acquired the building through property-tax foreclosure in 2021. Tax-deed records spanning several years identify the parcel (Taxkey 281-1852-000) and detail prior assessments and liens in the City Treasurer's petition list. The Bentley family had owned the site for roughly three decades before the city took title, the article noted.
Next steps
With the committee’s endorsement, the proposed sale now heads to the Common Council. The partners told officials they plan to start renovations once city approvals and permits are in place. Martin said he hopes to hire locally and eventually move into one of the renovated upstairs units after his son finishes high school. Mixon said the cafe will stick to straightforward, health-forward breakfast and lunch options, with occasional special events sprinkled in. We will update readers after the council votes and the partners set a projected opening timeline.
